Yes, I remember Tebet, Pondoh Indah and Pondok Gede areas. Pondok Indah residence and Pondok Gede residence were the Elite housing areas in Jakarta back then in 1991/92 maybe onwards. I'm not sure about now. There were many restaurants in those areas. I used to patronized Pondok Gurame Restaurant near Pondok Indah. It was an exclusive restaurant.
Back in the 80s and 90s Indonesia during Suharto era International tourists were given 3 months tourist visa. So maybe if Indonesia could revert back to that 3 months tourist visa it would help to boost their tourism industry again.
Yes I did. However, I don't know how to speak bahasa Betawi or Sunda. Mainly, I spoke Bahasa Indonesia and added some East Javanese words and while in Bali some Balinese words. I think you would know this statement, "MAS di Jawa BELI di Bali."U really enjoyed your stay there, man! As naturally as a Betawi!
Frankly, I prefer to talk to Indonesian ladies as I find them very polite and accommodating! Very nice indeed..Yes I did. However, I don't know how to speak bahasa Betawi or Sunda. Mainly, I spoke Bahasa Indonesia and added some East Javanese words and while in Bali some Balinese words. I think you would know this statement, "MAS di Jawa BELI di Bali."
Yes they are especially in Java...when they speaks Bahasa Indonesia or Javanese its as though the tone and words spoken are like a melody like music. Frankly speaking Bahasa Indonesia is pleasant to hear because the way they speaks is so refine and courteous a much better language than Bahasa Melayu/Malaysia.Frankly, I prefer to talk to Indonesian ladies as I find them very polite and accommodating! Very nice indeed..
Javanese and Sundanese speak in a softer tone unlike Bataknese, Acehnese and Madurese! The Bahasa Indonesia is still the easiest to understand though..
East Java, Yogyakarta and Solo when they speak Javanese very refine, courteous and respectful but the most refine language I feel is in Yogyakarta and Solo because these places are the Royal Family generation (The Kraton) and heritage. While in East Java or in central Java most people don't speak Bahasa Indonesia but Javanese
On and off stationed in Jakarta as my subcons were mostly from Sukabumi..dealing with those micro motors used in handphones! Good ole days..
Ok thats very good experience and exposure. Did you explore to other parts of Java while you were there?
Normal tourist cities like Surabaya, Yogja, Malang, Padang, Medan, Bandung and lastly visited a Chinese Indonesian at Sinkawang! Sinkawang is more like a Chinese settlement, poorer than their counterparts from Jakarta!
At least you managed to visit Kalimantan in Borneo. When I was living in Bali my dream was to visit Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Makasar and etcs towards further east of Indonesia Archipelago but I didn't manage to fulfil it because due to personal unforeseen circumstances I returned to Singapore in December 1995. All by overland and ferry trips.
That's quite a long journey!
Well, it was done at my own pace and no rush. It was a good experience and exposure for me to know Indonesia better.That's quite a long journey!
Singkawang has a reputation among other Indonesian Chinese as being a depressing place for its Chinese inhabitants, particularly its womenfolk. I hear it is easy to visit from Kuching and historically it was part of a Chinese republic formed at Pontianak. It should be quite interesting to visit Singkawang and Pontianak.
U are definitely right! Many poor ethnic Chinese people are living there..I can't say very poor but it's like the Chinese living in the 60s or 70s!
